Etekcity Infrared Thermometer Laser Temperature Gun Review
Is the surface hot enough yet?
Picture the grill, the oven rack or the engine bay, and the question you want answered in a second: is it hot yet? The Etekcity Lasergrip 1260 is a trigger-style infrared thermometer with a color LCD. It reads surfaces from -58 °F to 1130 °F, and it holds the reading on the display after you release the trigger. The listing names grills, griddles, ovens, refrigerators, air conditioners and automotive engines among its uses.
See the Etekcity Lasergrip 1260 on Amazon
What the specifications mean for you
- Temperature range, -58 to 1130 °F (-50 to 610 °C). The top of the range covers grill and oven surfaces, and the bottom covers freezer and refrigerator checks.
- Accuracy, plus or minus 2%. This is the listed figure. On a reading of 400 °F, 2% is about 8 °F either way, which is enough for cooking and maintenance checks but not for lab work.
- Response time, under 0.5 seconds. Pull the trigger and the reading appears quickly. The listing notes that the unit needs about 1 second to power on first.
- Distance-to-spot, 12:1. At 12 inches, the spot is about 1 inch across. Measure from a closer distance to read a small pan or a single oven rack.
- Adjustable emissivity, 0.1 to 1.0. You change the setting by holding the up and down buttons. The listing recommends 0.95 for normal household use. Change the setting when you measure shiny metal, because the default reading can run low.
- Hold and auto off. The reading locks when you release the trigger and stays on the display for 15 seconds before the unit turns off.
- Color LCD. The listing describes large color digits for the reading and the maximum temperature.
- Power. Two AAA batteries are included.
- Size and weight. The unit measures 5.98 inches long and weighs 4.64 ounces.
- Materials and care. The housing is ABS plastic. The listing marks the unit as non-washable, so keep it dry and out of standing water.
- Use. The listing marks the unit for indoor and outdoor use.
- Certifications. CE and FCC are listed.
- Warranty. The listing names a 2-year warranty from Etekcity.
The reason is that a single-use label conflicts with the reusable product design. Check the manual or the warranty card for the intended use before you rely on the claim either way.
Who this thermometer suits
- Home cooks who want to check a grill grate, a griddle or an oven rack before cooking.
- Owners checking a refrigerator or freezer shelf for temperature drift.
- Car owners checking an engine bay or an A/C vent during a service.
- DIYers checking a water heater, a radiator or a dryer vent.
- Pet owners who want to check a room or an enclosure. The listing mentions measuring a pet’s environment, not an animal’s body temperature.
Who should skip it
- Anyone who needs a body temperature reading. The listing does not describe that use.
- Anyone who needs readings above 1130 °F.
- Anyone who needs precise readings on polished metal without adjusting the emissivity.
- Anyone who needs a single-use disposable tool. The reusability field is in conflict, as noted above.
Spot size at the 12:1 ratio
The listing gives a 12:1 distance-to-spot ratio and does not state a spot size. The rows below apply that ratio to a few distances, so you can see how the spot grows as you step back from the surface.
| Distance to target | Approximate spot diameter |
| — | — |
| 6 inches | 0.5 inch |
| 12 inches | 1 inch |
| 24 inches | 2 inches |
| 36 inches | 3 inches |
| 48 inches | 4 inches |
A grill grate or a single oven rack is easier to read from close range. A larger surface, such as a griddle, can be read from farther away, as long as the spot stays entirely on the surface you care about.
Setting emissivity for the surface you read
The emissivity range runs from 0.1 to 1.0, and you change it by holding the Up and Down buttons. Its recommended household value is 0.95. The setting tells the thermometer how efficiently a surface radiates heat, so the value you choose changes the number on the display.
- Start from the 0.95 setting for an ordinary surface.
- For shiny metal, change the setting rather than relying on 0.95, since that recommendation is for normal household use.
- Take the reading, and record the emissivity value next to it.
- Use the same setting when you repeat the check, so the two readings can be compared.
What plus or minus 2 percent means across the range
The listing gives an accuracy of plus or minus 2 percent. It does not say whether that figure applies to the reading itself or to the full span. If it applies to the reading, the margin grows as the temperature rises. The rows below show that margin for a few readings.
| Reading | Margin at 2 percent of the reading |
| — | — |
| 100 °F | Plus or minus 2 °F |
| 200 °F | Plus or minus 4 °F |
| 400 °F | Plus or minus 8 °F |
| 800 °F | Plus or minus 16 °F |
| 1,130 °F | About plus or minus 23 °F |
Use the margin to judge how much a reading can move before it matters for your job. The figure is for planning only. Each unit is described as passing a calibration test, but the listing does not give calibration steps for the user.
Checks by use named in the listing
The listing names a long list of uses, and each one suggests a different aim point. The notes below are about where to aim and what to read, not about target temperatures.
- Grill and griddle. Aim at the grate or cooking surface rather than the lid or a side wall, and take readings at a couple of spots.
- Oven. Aim at the rack or floor, and keep the same distance on each check.
- Refrigerator. Aim at a shelf or the inside wall, and note the time of day with each reading.
- Air conditioner. Aim at a vent or a coil area you can reach, and compare readings taken at the same points.
- Vehicle engine or automotive. Keep the spot on the part you want to read rather than on nearby metal.
- DIY jobs. Mark the spot you measured, so the next check returns to the same place.
- Pet environment. The listing mentions measuring a pet’s environment, not the animal. Aim at the bedding or enclosure surface, and keep the unit away from the animal.
Using the trigger well
- Turn the unit on and wait for the power-on delay.
- Aim at the surface and pull the trigger.
- Read the result and release the trigger to lock it.
- Check the emissivity setting if the surface is shiny or unusual.
- Note the reading before the 15-second auto-off.
Practical buying criteria
- Range. Does -58 to 1130 °F cover your work?
- Distance-to-spot. Does 12:1 suit the distance you measure from?
- Emissivity. Do you need an adjustable setting for shiny surfaces?
- Display. Is a large color LCD useful for your eyesight and lighting?
- Power. Do you want AAA batteries, which are included?
Storage and care
The product care field reads non-washable, so keep the housing dry and out of standing water. The housing is ABS plastic. The listing marks the unit for indoor and outdoor use, so a dry storage spot between uses matters more than any cleaning routine.
The reading stays on the display for 15 seconds after you release the trigger, and then the unit turns off automatically. Note the value inside that window, or pull the trigger again for a fresh reading. Because the reusability field reads single use, check the manual before you plan to use one unit across many jobs.
Limitations and open points
- Reusability. Check the manual.
- Surface limits. The listing does not describe readings through glass or on very reflective surfaces beyond the emissivity setting.
How it compares with other thermometers in the category
Category examples help show what the Etekcity model does and does not offer. The TempPro TempScan, another model in this category, lists adjustable emissivity from 0.1 to 1.0, a 12:1 distance-to-spot ratio, a response time under 500 milliseconds and a 1,022 °F upper range. Its battery is listed as AAA, and it is listed as rechargeable on the reusability field. The Etekcity Lasergrip 1260 has a higher upper range of 1,130 °F and a color LCD, so it reaches further up the temperature scale. Both products are infrared guns with adjustable emissivity. The category example is useful for comparison, but its specifications belong to that product.
Comparison by group: Etekcity against two category examples
The TempPro TempScan and the KNINE OUTDOORS gun are category examples. Their values belong to those products, and the table lists them only for the groups the Etekcity listing covers.
| Group | Etekcity Lasergrip 1260 (this review) | TempPro TempScan TP30 (category example) | KNINE OUTDOORS gun (category example) |
| — | — | — | — |
| Range | -58 to 1130 °F (-50 to 610 °C) | Upper range 1,022 °F | — |
| Accuracy | Plus or minus 2% | Accurate to plus or minus 1.5% | — |
| Distance-to-spot | 12:1 | 12:1 | — |
| Emissivity | Adjustable from 0.1 to 1.0 | Adjustable from 0.1 to 1.0 | — |
| Response time | Under 0.5 seconds | Under 500 milliseconds | — |
| Display | Color LCD | Digital display | Large display |
| Power | 2 AAA batteries, included | 2 AAA batteries, included | — |
| Reusability | Single use (conflicting field, see above) | Rechargeable | — |
| Weight | 4.64 ounces | 128 g | — |
The table shows that the Etekcity unit and the TempPro example share the same ratio, emissivity range and battery type. The Etekcity unit reaches a higher upper range and has a color display. The reusability field is the point to settle before you compare the two on use.
Questions buyers ask
How accurate is it? The listing gives plus or minus 2% accuracy. Use the reading as a useful check, not as a calibrated measurement.
Does it need a long power-on time? The listing notes about 1 second to power on before the trigger reads.
Can I use it on a grill? Yes, the listing names grills and griddles. Set the emissivity for the surface you measure, and aim at the grate or the cooking surface rather than the lid.
What is the model number? The model field reads Lasergrip 1260, and the part number field reads Infrared Thermometer 1260.
How much does it weigh and how long is it? The item weight is 4.64 ounces, and the item length is 5.98 inches.
Does it need a special battery? No. It uses two AAA batteries, which are included.
Which certifications does it list? The specification met field names CE and FCC.
Final verdict
The Etekcity Lasergrip 1260 is a practical infrared gun for cooking, refrigeration, automotive and household checks. Its wide temperature range, adjustable emissivity and color display make it flexible, and the 2-year warranty and included AAA batteries are useful. Before you buy, confirm the reusability question, since the listing’s single-use label does not match a reusable thermometer.
